Behind The Mega Stage, Mariah Carey Struggles Against Fibromyalgia

Mariah Carey (Photo: Instagram/@mariahcarey)

JAKARTA - At the age now at the age of 56, Mariah Carey again showed why she deserves to be called one of the largest divas of all time. In a concert titled Mariah Carey: The Celebration of Mimi which was held at Sentul International Convention Center (SICC), Bogor, West Java on Saturday, October 4, 2025, the legendary singer amazed thousands of her fans with a strong, clear, and touching voice.

Every tone that comes out of her lips brings nostalgia to fans who grow up with her iconic songs. There is no sign that time has eroded her charm. Her voice remains as beautiful as it used to be. This proves true talent is not restrained by age.

But behind the splendor of the stage and the cheers of the audience, there are things that steal the attention. Mariah looks more like she is standing in one place and rarely does dynamical movements as usual.

According to Melaney Ricardo, who was also present and shared his experience on social media, this condition was not without reason.

"Many are curious that Mimi from the start of her appearance, how come her movements seem really slow, like it's hard to move. Like boro-boro dance, just walk, you have to be guided," said Melaney via her short video on social media.

"I did my research, Mimi ak Mariah Carey is battling fibromyalgia. So basically she always feels all the joints in her body hurt and makes her muscles stiff and difficult to move," he added.

This statement made the public touched. Many understand Mariah's appearance that night was not just a concert, but a form of the determination of a woman who still stands on stage even though her body is at war against pain.

Fibromyalgia is not a disease that can be seen from outside, but the impact can be very real. This is a long-term condition that causes overall pain throughout the body, accompanied by extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood swings.

Experts believe fibromyalgia affects the way the brain and spinal cord process pain signals, so the body becomes much more sensitive to pain.

Symptoms of fibromyalgia often appear after a person experiences traumatic events. such as injuries, surgery, severe infections, or prolonged emotional stress. But in some people, the symptoms can come slowly for no apparent reason.

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic page, this condition also attacks women more and is often accompanied by other disorders such as headaches or migraines, jaw pain (TMJ), intestinal irritation syndrome (IBS), anxiety and depression.

Unfortunately, until now there has been no cure that really cures fibromyalgia. However, the symptoms can be controlled through a combination of drugs, physical therapy, light exercise, and relaxation techniques to help reduce stress.

Non-Always-Seen Symptoms

Fibromyalgia sufferers usually experience:

- A thorough pain that felt like blunt pain and stayed for more than three months.

- Fatigue, even after a long sleep.

- Concentration disorder or fibro pheg, which makes it difficult to focus and remember simple things.

This condition also often comes along with chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, to pain in the bladder or jaw joints.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not yet fully understood. However, experts argue that this condition is related to disorders in the central nervous system which makes the brain more sensitive to pain signals. Factors such as genetics, certain infections, as well as physical and emotional stress are believed to trigger or worsen this condition.

The risk is also higher on:

- Women compared to men

- Those who have family members with fibromyalgia

- People with a history of other chronic diseases, such as pulsation or lupus

Fibromyalgia not only attacks physically, but also mentally. The chronic pain, fatigue, and lack of understanding from those around you can cause severe emotional stress. Not a few sufferers end up experiencing depression or anxiety.

But behind all that, Mariah Carey's story that night was an important reminder. Everyone may be struggling in silence. Even though his body was covered with pain, he still stood on stage, smiling and singing to his fans.